At least one person has been confirmed dead and six others recorded infected as the Rivers State government confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever in some sections of the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker, who confirmed this to journalists in Port Harcourt on Saturday, warned residents of the state especially those in the villages and healthcare facilities to be vigilant.

Parker, who said the state government was doing everything to curtail the spread as well as clear the existing cases, explained that the disease is spread by a species of rats he identified as Mastomys rodents.

According to the Health Commissioner, the disease is difficult to diagnose, stating symptoms to include fever, pain behind the chest wall, sore throat, back pain, cough, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, facial swelling and mucosal bleeding, among others.

“Rivers state currently has a challenge of Lassa fever. It is real. It is the first time medical notice of the ailment is taken in the state. With one person already dead, it is an epidemic.
“Lassa fever is carried by species of rats with eight breasts, which stay in filthy environment. We must ensure personal and environmental hygiene, as well as good waste disposal. All domestic wastes should be covered in bags and disposed of appropriately.

“Rivers people should be vigilant and correct one another, because one person’s mistake can be disastrous. The dead medical staff might have ensured personal hygiene, but her neighbours might not have been very careful.”

He noted that Rivers State government has procured all the needed drugs and protective items and equipment, including training and retraining, urging health personnel not to entertain fear.

“The Rapid Response Team for Lassa fever will be immediately pushing in rapid diagnostic kits. Rivers State government places emphasis on preventive and not curative health”, he said.

He said further that the signs and symptoms of the disease occurs between one to three weeks after the patient had come in contact with the virus, adding that treatment for infected persons would involve the use of protective equipment for those caring for the patient as well as sterilisation and isolating infected patients from contact with unprotected persons, until the disease had run its course.